Swindon boss Paolo di Canio launched an astonishing attack at his goalkeeper Wes Foderingham after taking him off just 21 minutes into a game with Preston.

The Italian relieved the 21-year-old of his duties half way through the first half yesterday, with his team losing 2-0.

Paolo di Canio slammed his goalkeeper Wes Foderingham (PA)

He then went on to add to the young keeper’s humiliation by describing him as ‘one of the worst players I have ever seen in a football match’.

The former West Ham striker’s decision to haul off Foderingham comes a week after he went over 1,000 minutes without conceding a goal.

He went on to say that the stopper was moaning at his teammates rather than taking responsibility for his own error.

‘Today he started behaving as the worst professional; arrogant, ignorant in some way – not as a person, as an athlete – I have ever seen.

‘If he doesn’t come out and say sorry to the fans, for the professionalism in general, he is out from my team. I don’t want any argument from the fans “we play Oxford, we have a season” – no.

‘He was nothing until the day he joined me, not the club but me. He didn’t have one second as a professional, nobody wanted him because he’s 181cm. In English football everybody want 199 like the f****** Preston goalkeeper.’

Di Canio has a history of falling out with players, as striker Leon Clarke and defender Paul Caddis each left the club after run-ins with the Italian.